Video demo after the cut

It’s not just the G1 that gets the love, either: the HTC Magic will also run the ROM.  Cyanogen is having to shave off some of the more common functionality in his feature-packed custom ROMs to make it fit into the space available on both handsets – the G1 is proving particularly tricky – but, as the video demonstrates, the experience is pretty much what you’d expect coming from a Nexus One.

Of course, unlike the Nexus One the G1 has a hardware QWERTY keyboard, so if you’ve been desperate for an HTC-made Android smartphone with a physical ‘board and the latest public OS release, now’s (almost) your chance.  Right now the ROM is in private beta among Cyanogen’s group of Android testers, but there’s talk of an initial public beta being released sometime later on today.

[Thanks "Me"!]

The Mariposa botnet agent has officially infected somewhere in the ballpark of 3,000 handsets, the company affirmed to Spanish media on Thursday. The company had met with their Iberian branch, along with representatives from Panda Security, who actually caught the malware infraction right from the start. Vodafone Spain provided an HTC Magic to a representative from the company to test, and that’s when all this trouble first started, back at the beginning of March. While Mariposa is the big name being tossed around right now, it seems that other strains of malware were also found on many of the HTC Magics. How was the information-stealing program finding its way onto the phones? Through the SD cards. A second infection was also confirmed before the announcement earlier this week, when a handset found its way to a security consultant with S21Sec.

Vodafone Spain is now in the works of replacing 3,000 MicroSD cards. Not because they think it’s a precautionary measure, but because they’ve fully admitted that 3,000 devices are more than likely infected. Thankfully, Vodafone itself is investigating the situation, and so far has found that the event is a “localized” one, and not spreading across other Vodafone Europe handsets. This is definitely shocking news, but we’re glad that the wireless carrier is admitting to the problem, and doing what they need to do to fix the situation. Hopefully they can root out the source, and prevent anything like this happening again.

[via The Register]

Meanwhile there’s the Motorola Zeppelin is another Android handset – no word on release date or specifications as yet – while on March 17th Nokia’s 5230 complete with AWS support is expected.  A Garmin “Columbus” handset is tipped for May 5th.

Finally a Dell device is also suggested for the T-Mobile network, though TmoNews’ tipster reckons it’s not a cellphone like the Dell Mini 3 for AT&T.  That’s prompted speculation that the carrier may be offering a 3G-integrated netbook from Dell’s Mini range, though right now there’s no confirmation either way.

[via Android Community]

Video demo after the cut

You can use the headset to pan around in the compass Street View mode of Google Maps, or get more interesting and use one of the augmented reality apps available for Android – such as Layar – to overlay information over a real-time view of what the Magic’s camera is seeing.  You’ll certainly be distinctive as you walk down the street.

Of course, the main problem you’ll have is controlling the Magic, what with it being sellotaped into the box, but some sort of snug-fitting case into which the Android smartphone could slide would address that.  We can’t quite decide whether this is genius or insanity, but we’re not going to let that stop us making our own.

[via Twitter]

Unfortunately that’s a side-effect of “with Google” branding, meaning that both the myTouch 3G and the Vodafone Magic are unlikely to be eligible for the update.  It’s also unclear whether the original T-Mobile G1 (aka the HTC Dream) will be eligible for a Sense update.

HTC Sense not only tweaks the Android UI, increasing desktop panes from three to seven and adding various interactive widgets, but introduces social networking integration into the smartphone’s contacts app.  Full details in our HTC Hero review.

[via Unwired View]

Video advert after the cut

Whoopi is joined by Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson and TV personality/motorcycle maven (yes, that’s T-Mobile’s description) Jessie James.  Each of them are keen – nay, overjoyed – to be able to share with you how they use the myTouch 3G, though they won’t actually tell you out loud (perhaps because that cost significantly more?)

So, Phil says the Android smartphone (aka the HTC Magic) “is a miracle tool” while Whoopi apparently uses it to find hot-dogs and Jessie likens the customized wallpapers and other fettling T-Mobile offer to his own tattoos.  If this slab of celebrity endorsement has swung you over to the Android side, you’ll be ecstatic to know that the T-Mobile myTouch 3G is available right now, priced at $199.99.

Video demo after the cut; Update: Plus new live gallery – thanks dt0306!

As you can see in the video, the Click is roughly the same thickness as the Magic, but a little shorter and a little broader.  It also has a smaller LCD touchscreen display, something that wasn’t clear from the standalone leaked images we saw last time, and a 3.5mm headphones socket.

In terms of software, the Click reports that it’s running Android OS Donut, though it’s unclear what changes that implies.  Something conspicuous by its absence is HTC Sense, indicating that the Click is likely to be a “with Google” branded device; it also looks set to hit GSM rather than CDMA carriers, as it flashes up an obvious “no SIM” warning on startup.

Update: New images from Tinh Te forums below.

The issue remains one of licensing and branding, with official “with Google” devices such as the myTouch 3G being ineligible for the extent of customization Sense brings thanks to Google’s T&Cs.  However it seems that the Magic on sale in Taiwan is not a “with Google” device, and hence HTC can release their updated UI.

Sense will be available at an unspecified point in the future, just not for the Vodafone or T-Mobile devices, which also have less RAM than the unlocked version of the smartphone and thus might have struggled to run the UI anyway.  Expect homebrew merchants to have a field day, however, and we’ve a feeling that if you still want Sense on your phone and you don’t mind rooting it and doing a little elementary modding, you’ll be able to have the UI unofficially at some point in the near future.

[via Gizmodo]

The news comes as HTC launch their third Android smartphone – and the one we think most highly of – the HTC Hero in Taiwan, where it will be available free to two-year subscribers on $53/mo or above contracts.  Chou also confirmed that the HTC Magic has sold in excess of one million units since its late-April 2009 launch.

HTC recently announced Q2 2009 financial results of $1,62m revenue, a year-on-year growth of over 10-percent.  The company is yet to reveal the devices it will focus on for the rest of 2009, though leaks have tipped both the Mega and the HTC Leo.

Unboxing video after the cut

Inside the box there’s a particularly nice carry-case for the myTouch 3G, complete with foam cut-out sections for all the accessories and a separate niche for the phone itself to sit in.  It certainly makes keeping all of your cables, charger and headsets more straightforward, though T-Mobile USA also provide a soft slip-case for the myTouch 3G itself since you won’t be able to squeeze the full case into your pocket.

As for the smartphone itself, there’s a 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen, 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth, a 3.2-megapixel camera with autofocus and Android OS 1.5 “Cupcake”.  There are many more photos of the myTouch 3G for T-Mobile in the full Android Community article, so head over there for all the details.

myTouch 3G for T-Mobile unboxing video:

T-Mobile are concentrating heavily on customization of the myTouch 3G, and will be offering a variety of pre-designed shell patterns.  Buyers will also be able to create their own shell from a photo, graphic or text, send off the design and have it made into a unique custom-printed shell.

Otherwise, the myTouch 3G has the same 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen, virtual keyboard, Google Maps and Street View, and all the other usual Google Android software as the HTC Magic available through Vodafone Europe.  Pre-orders will be accepted between today and July 28th; however not everybody will be eligible for the $199.99 price. 

[via Android Community] 

Press Release:

T-Mobile myTouch 3G with Google Now Available for Pre-Sale for Current T-Mobile Customers

Nationwide Retail Availability for the Highly Anticipated Smartphone Begins Aug. 5

NEW YORK – July 8, 2009 – T-Mobile USA, Inc. announced today the beginning of its special pre-sale program for existing customers who want to be among the first to get their hands on the much-anticipated T-Mobile® myTouch™ 3G. Beginning today, current T-Mobile customers can visit www.T-MobilemyTouch.com to order the company’s latest Android™-powered device, and be the first to put their own personal touch on myTouch 3G.

Existing customers who order the device during the pre-sale period from July 8–28 can qualify for myTouch 3G delivery before the national retail launch. T-Mobile today announced national retail availability of the device will begin on Aug. 5.

T-Mobile once again has partnered with Google to deliver a rich mobile experience that includes one-touch access to the Google™ mobile services that millions use every day including Google Search™ by voice, Google Maps™ with Street View, YouTube™ and Picasa™. Designed by HTC, T-Mobile myTouch 3G boasts a sleek and lightweight look and feel, a full touchscreen and virtual keyboard, and new features that allow customers to truly make their phone their own, inside and out.

“We’ve heard loud and clear from our customers that a deeper level of personalization matters to them,” said Denny Marie Post, chief marketing officer, T-Mobile USA. “That is why we placed so much emphasis on breaking the mold with myTouch 3G: to provide customers with boundless ways to make their phone a true expression, and extension, of themselves.”

On the inside, myTouch provides customers with the ability to richly personalize the entire theme of the device with new widgets, icons and wallpapers, which can be added directly on the homescreen. Android Market™ also boasts thousands of applications that can deliver further customization to customers based on their personal passions and preferences. In addition, starting next month, T-Mobile will launch a new application within Android Market called AppPack that will highlight a variety of noteworthy applications to help customers further personalize their myTouch 3G, manage their T-Mobile accounts and help make the most of their T-Mobile experience. Some of the recommended applications will include Sherpa™, imeem mobile and Movies by Flixster, plus T-Mobile applications including myAccount, myFaves®, HotSpot Locator and Visual Voicemail.

On the outside, a variety of accessories and pre-designed shell patterns will soon be available for myTouch, at retail and online. For true individualization, customers will also be able to design a unique shell using a dedicated Web site. Shells will be able to be customized in a variety of ways, including uploading a personal photo, graphic design, or selecting text, shapes, icons or logos. The final design is custom-printed onto the shell, then shipped.

In addition, an entire ecosystem of accessories will be available for myTouch from gel skins to device cases to wrist straps to covers. Five distinct accessory packs, including a music bundle with portable speakers and a fitness pack that includes a fitness belt and arm band, allow customers to further match the phone to their unique lifestyle.

Pricing and Availability
T-Mobile customers have the opportunity to pre-order myTouch, in limited quantities, beginning today at http://www.T-MobilemyTouch.com. myTouch will be available nationwide at T-Mobile retail stores and online beginning August 5 for $199.99 with a two-year agreement.* Customers can visit http://www.T-MobilemyTouch.com for more information.

# # #

*Price may vary depending upon customer upgrade eligibility requirements. Plus taxes and fees. Qualifying voice and data plans required. 3G coverage not available everywhere. For information where T-Mobile 3G service is available or to see T-Mobile’s Personal Coverage Check tool, please visit http://www.TMobile.com/Coverage.

Video demos after the cut

The projects vary in how much they modify the original ROM.  SuperHERO, from the LeakDroid project, has been quite significantly modified, but still keeps the the multitouch browser support, PMP and social-networking functionality.  Android HDblog shot the first video below; they found that aside from poor horizontal support and occasional crashes it’s a relatively usable ROM.

Meanwhile Fatal1ty’s ROM is tipped to be almost stock, aside from a couple of changes merely to get it working on the HTC Magic.  AndroidWorld.it tested it out in the second video below; it supports Flash in the browser, GPS and camera functionality, and all the stock HTC widgets, but there’s talk that the whole of Sense has to be reloaded every time you hit the home button.  That will significantly slow things down in everyday use.

We’re expecting to get our demo HTC Hero in very soon; if you have any questions for our review, leave them here.

The limitation comes as part of Google’s three-tiers of Android deployment, and their insistence that anything branded with their name should deliver the full, unmodified Android experience.  That insistence has meant that other HTC developments, such as Exchange support on the Magic, have not made it to Android devices officially on sale in the US and Europe.  The upcoming T-Mobile myTouch 3G will also be a Google-branded phone, and as such not get Sense.

According to HTC, there are potential logistical and R&D cost issues that might scupper a more limited Sense roll-out to non “with Google” existing devices, however, so an upgrade is by no means definite.  It may be that cracked ROMs are the only way for existing owners to beautify their Android device.

[via Android Community]

HTC didn’t make it entirely clear during their press event yesterday, but afterward took pains to clarify that Sense is branding for their entire custom UI work.  Speaking to an HTC executive at a dinner event in London yesterday, he explained that what you see on the Hero is just the latest step in a UI project that began all the way back at the inception of the original HTC Touch.  That means Sense includes TouchFLO 3D for Windows Mobile, rather than being a separate Android strand.

That given, it’s possible that Chou meant that certain Windows Mobile devices could get new Sense UI updates, rather than the company’s two existing Android smartphones; likely candidates include the Touch Diamond2 and Touch Pro2.  It certainly seems more straightforward to port the new UI to other Android phones – in terms of processor and the like, the Hero is pretty much the same device as its predecessors – but until we get an official announcement we won’t know for sure.

[via Android Community]

All of the usual Android applications are present, including Google Maps with Latitude and Street View, a messaging app supporting POP, IMAP and Exchange accounts, a media player supporting MP3, AAC, AAC+, WMA, OGG and RM files, and stereo Bluetooth A2DP.  T-Mobile will also load the Sherpa app, featuring GENIE (Geodelic ENgine for Interest Evaluation), onto the myTouch 3G, which promises to recognize patterns of use and offer suggestions based on past behaviours.

The T-Mobile myTouch 3G is expected to go up for pre-order on July 8th, though initially only for existing subscribers to the carrier.  National availability is expected in early August, with the handset priced at $199.99 with a new two-year agreement.  Three color options will be release: black, white and merlot.

“Next week, T-Mobile will share more details about its next Android-powered phone, the follow-on device to the T-Mobile G1 with Google. More details on additional T-Mobile smartphones for this summer will follow.”

The myTouch 3G is set to be just the first of T-Mobile’s new smartphone range, seemingly, with more models promised after its announcement.  According to the PR-speak, while we may only be seeing a debut, not a launch, of the next Android smartphone next week, it’s set to arrive sometime over the summer.

The phone is expected to be little different from the HTC Magic already on sale in Europe, though obviously with the necessary T-Mobile USA 3G band support.  For full details on the phone, check out our review over at Android Community.

Palm Pre news after the cut

Palm then showed up with a video demo of their location API and other aspects of the Pre’s webOS platform.  They’re going in for HTML5 support in a big way – remember, this is the clever web tech that allowed Google to build offline web apps.

Our cellularly-obsessed sibling site PhoneMag have a full wrap-up of the Google I/O first-day, complete with more photos and video, so check it out for all the details.  You can follow along with our Google I/O 2009 coverage as it happens at http://live.slashgear.com.

Android 2.0 “Donut” demo from Google I/O 2009:

Full Samsung I7500 vs. HTC Magic gallery after the cut

As the images show, both handsets are roughly the same size, with the biggest difference being in controls.  HTC have a trackball and dedicated search button, while Samsung use a more traditional D-pad and drop the search key; instead, they make up for things with a proper 3.5mm headphone jack, while the Magic requires an adapter.

Around the back, the I7500 comfortably bests the Magic with its 5-megapixel autofocus camera and “power LED flash”, versus the HTC’s flashless 3.2-megapixel snapper.  Our own hands-on experience with the Magic does confirm that it’s a sturdy, well-made smartphone, though; we’ll have to wait to play with the Samsung to see whether the I7500 can boast the same.

[via Android Community]

If you’re just such an iPhone 3G owner, then make sure to head over to our Mophie Juice Pack giveaway and get your entry in; it won’t change AT&T’s mind, but it will give you a whole lot more battery life to complain to your friends about it.  Be quick, though, as entries must be in by midday central time on Monday!

Our photography expert Daniel Lim grabbed some hands-on time with SanDisk’s ImageMate USB 2.0 card reader, and declared it an essential peripheral for dedicated shutterbugs.  Meanwhile, latest team member Steven Grady celebrated his new job (and graduation) by unboxing the FyreTV VoD system, in a video which manages to be safe for work.  Expect a whole lot of metaphors when he reviews it this week.  Finally, over at Android Community we reviewed the Vodafone HTC Magic, arguably the best Android device on the market today.

Elsewhere in mobile phones, Verizon’s Samsung Alias 2 hit the market (complete with trick E Ink keyboard); we’re still too excited about the Palm Pre, though.  Both an unboxing photoset (minus the Pre) and unboxing video (minus the Sprint branding) turned up during the week, leading us to wonder whether the much-anticipated handset would be launched in a Walt Mossberg WSJ exclusive.

In netbooks, manufacturers showed that while they might not be aiming high with specifications, the aesthetic battle is ratcheting up a notch.  ASUS have been riding high with their Eee PC 1008HA Seashell, which will arrive in the US on May 18th priced at $429, but they’re leaving nothing to chance and following it up with the similarly-styled Eee PC 1005HA-M and 1005HA-H.  They’ll have some competition from Albatron, though; you may not be familiar with the brand, but you’ll drool uncontrollably over their super-slimline entrance to the netbook market.

We also stopped by Mio for the launch of their new Navman Spirit PNDs, including a pretty impressive 7-inch touchscreen unit with integrated digital TV.  Conspicuous by its absence, though, was any sort of internet browser; for that, you’ll have to turn to the SmartQ 7 MID, which we saw specs, live photos and even an unboxing of.

In gaming, the strongest theme this week was musical controllers, and guitars in particular.  Logitech and Hofner both whipped out their own guitar-shaped controllers, but personally I’m more excited by this IR hack which turns a controller into a true “air guitar”.

Finally, the “bad news of the week” award goes to Intel, who were found guilty of harming “millions of customers” in their EC antitrust trial and fined $1.45bn.  If it makes them feel any better, that’s a new record for damages.  Well done, record breakers!

Android OS 1.5 Cupcake video demo after the cut

As well as new input methods, Cupcake brings with it updates to the browser – including a new bookmark system – and video recording and playback functionality.  There are also instant uploads to YouTube and Picasa.

The G1 was criticized for being an enthusiasts phone, demanding patience with a fledgling OS and accused of missing features that even basic handsets included without a second thought.  Does the Magic fall into the same trap?  The only way to find out is to head over to the Android Community HTC Magic review.

HTC Magic Android OS 1.5 Cupcake video demo:

Outside of unboxings, we spent some hands-on video time with Sony’s Walkman X with its luscious OLED display, and reviewed the T-Mobile Sidekick LX 2009 with a pretty special LCD screen of its own.  Finally the Pro Cyc MyStudio 20 tabletop photo studio turned up for its own review, and proved an excellent – if not especially cheap – way to take high-quality product images.

The other big news of the week has been the announcement of the Amazon Kindle DX, big 9.7-inch brother to the Kindle 2 and an attempt by the retailer to clean up in the textbook and newspaper markets.  Check out our hands-on video and photos here.

In software, Microsoft set free the Windows 7 Release Client (RC), and spawned a whole new wave of upgrades as users get to grips with the fresh OS.  We were particularly interested to see how Windows 7 RC runs on netbook hardware, and weren’t disappointed; sadly, the same can’t be said for the performance of the Acer Aspire One 751, which manages to chug along miserably even with just XP thanks to an underpowered processor.  Still, at least it looks pretty, though whether that will be enough to stave off the competition from ASUS’ tipped 11.6-inch Eee PC – expected to launch this month – remains to be seen.

In mobile devices, Bell Mobility announced that they’ve snapped up the Palm Pre for its exclusive Canadian launch, though our friends north of the border will have to wait until an unspecified date in the second half of 2009 for its actual release.  Meanwhile we saw a video demo of the Samsung Alias 2 with its unique E Ink keyboard – the phone itself lands in stores on Monday – and leaked shots of what’s purported to be the Nokia 5900 XpressMusic.

Finally, if you thought plasma TV was a dying technology, think again; it still has the power to surprise and impress when it comes to sheer inches.  Samsung took minimalism as their prompt with the 850 PAVV HDTV, going for a set just 29mm thick, while Shinoda went to screen-size extremes with a 145-inch plasma display.  Perhaps not the most sensible of launches in today’s economic times, but as headline grabbers they take some beating.

Video unboxing after the cut

First impressions of the Magic are very positive.  It’s obviously thinner than the T-Mobile G1, and that makes it far more pocketable and single-hand usable.  The on-screen keyboard has handy pop-up letters, as you’d find on the iPhone, and build quality is high with no squeaks or creaks. 

We’ll be putting the Vodafone HTC Magic through its paces over at Android Community, with video demos, hands-on feedback and, eventually, a decision on whether this is the Android smartphone to have.  If you have any requests or questions, head on over here and let us know!

In Japan, the handset currently on sale as the Vodafone HTC Magic in Europe will be known as the HT-03A.  We’re no news on whether the device’s specifications – particularly its 3G radio – will be changed before launch; NTT DoCoMo’s largest network uses the 3G/FOMA system, which is based on W-CDMA technology.

No such confusion for Rogers Wireless, who use a GSM 3G network on which the Dream and Magic will merely need to support the 850MHz band for their high-speed mobile connectivity.  Rogers have not confirmed pricing or specific details regarding the Android devices.

[via Android Community]

The screenshot above, from T-Mobile’s own inventory system, suggests that three color options will be on the table: black and white, as we’ve already seen, and a merlot (i.e. red) option.  Still no word on release date or pricing, however.

The T-Mobile myTouch 3G has a 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen, 3.2-megapixel camera, WiFi, Bluetooth and 3G HSDPA.  It runs the Google Android OS, and differs predominantly from the T-Mobile G1 in that it solely has an on-screen keyboard, rather than a hardware ‘board. 

HTC Magic hands-on demo:

HTC Magic walkthrough with Eric Lin:

[via Android Community]

Video unboxing after the cut

In with the HTC Magic itself there’s an imitation leather slip-case – which is described as “feeling a bit cheap” – together with the usual USB cable, power adapter and wired stereo headset.  Like many other HTC smartphones, the Magic lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, and we’re disappointed to see that the company hasn’t thrown an adapter dongle into the box; budget from around $6 for a suitable converter.

German buyers can pick up the HTC Magic from between €19 and €199 ($25 to $262), depending on which monthly tariff they sign up to.  There’s a mandatory €12 ($16) unlimited data plan, too; more details here.

[via Android Community]

Otherwise, though, it’s the same HTC Magic we know and love.  Vodafone Spain have created a new all-you-can-eat data tariff, priced at €12 ($16) per month, which will be a mandatory option for all buyers.  The Magic itself has a 3.2-inch QVGA touchscreen, HSPA, WiFi b/g and Bluetooth 2.0.

For more on the HTC Magic, check out our hands-on demo from the handset’s launch at Mobile World Congress back in February.  More details on the Vodafone Spain deal at the carrier’s official blog; the handset it available online from today, and in stores next week.

[via Android Community]

Other specs include a 3.2-megapixel camera and GPS, together with the usual suite of Google apps including GMail and Street View.  The Magic was first expected to launch this month, but that has been pushed back to May 5th.

The HTC Magic will be free on 18-month Vodafone contracts priced from £35 ($51) upward.  However the cheapest contract is £15 ($22), though the phone is then priced at £293.62 ($428).

[via Android Community]

According to the developers, there is extensive amounts of work required to get the software ported over, but it isn’t anything that an average developer or user would be unable to do. There are numerous tutorials thanks to the XDA commuinty.

The upcoming release of Android 1.5 “Cupcake” has been highly anticipated. There will be numerous new features and additions to the software. With T-Mobile’s April 21′s launch event, many are anticipating the release of Cupcake to the public.

[Via Boy Genius Report]

The names being tossed around include Sapphire, Magic and Dream. Also listed are G3, myTouch 3G with Google, Genius 3G with Google, and Prism 3G with Google.

I feel like T-Mobile might be trying too hard with these names. The G2 or G3 work. They’re simple and easy to remember. Hopefully customers won’t confuse the name with the iPhone 3G. I can see the myTouch name getting confused by the people who say iTouch for the iPod Touch.  We know you have preferences, so sound off in the comments.

[Via TmoNews]

The HTC Magic has a 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen, 3G HSDPA, WiFi and Bluetooth.  It also has a 3.2-megapixel camera with autofocus, integrated GPS and a new on-screen QWERTY keyboard to replace the G1′s hardware ‘board.  You can find out more in our live HTC Magic gallery and hands-on video demo.

No pricing details for the Vodafone HTC Magic are given, either for the smartphone itself or the monthly data and voice plans the carrier will be offering.  Instead it’s possible to register for updates when that information becomes available.

[via Android Community]

We were also quite taken with Nokia’s imagery-obsessed N86 8MP, while the Sony Ericsson Idouobviously struck a chord with readers as our live demo video views shot through the roof.  Meanwhile Samsung brought some AMOLED-display beauties to the show, the UltraTOUCH, Omnia HD and, somewhat less impressive, BEAT DJ. 

The strong showing from Android never arrived, with only the HTC Magic for Vodafone promising to be anything more than vaporware.  NVIDIA did drag along the latest in their reference design series, a $99 MID with 1080p output and a port of Android, but it’s still far from retail-ready.  In fact the biggest platform news came from Microsoft, who launched Windows Mobile 6.5.

There’s much more Mobile World Congress news than I can cover here, so for all the details hit the MWC 2009 tag.  Of course, the world doesn’t stop just because mobile vendors are crowing, so we’ve also looked at the Gateway FX6800-05, the company’s stonking Core i7 gaming PC, and the ASUS Eee PC 1000HE, with its claims of massive battery life.

Demo video of the HTC Magic Android smartphone after the cut

While the device we were playing with had non-final buttons – the Magic had a last-minute redesign, as you can see in the official press shots – otherwise there’s very little difference between it and what you’ll be able to buy in stores come Q2 2009.  Touchscreen responsiveness seems on a par with the iPhone, at least during our relatively short time with the Magic, and the reduced thickness and less pronounced “chin” angle make it more comfortable to hold than the G1.

HTC also revealed that there’s nothing in their Vodafone deal preventing them from developing a version of the Magic for an American carrier, with the suitable 3G reworking so that it can be used on the US GSM 3G networks.  For full details on our interview with HTC about the Magic, plus a full hands-on gallery of over fifty live photos, head over to our sibling-site Android Community.

What that means is not only offline access to your email – courtesy of HTML5′s AppCache and Database standards – together with a new toolbar that follows email browsing, plus label support.  Gundotra demonstrated the same fully-functional GMail app running on both the iPhone 3G and the new Android-based HTC Magic, with the same GUI, controls and – of most interest to developers – no requirement to code special versions.

Gundotra also demonstrated a version of Google Maps running on the Palm Pre – which he called “arguably one of my most favorite devices – that has been totally coded in HTML 5.  The application ran just as a native app would, complete with multitouch support, full searching and all the usual Maps functionality.

Finally, Gundotra revealed that Google has been working on incorporating some of the typical features of mobile devices – such as GPS, cameras and always-on connectivity.  Google Latitude, for instance, takes advantage of GPS, and last week 1m users signed up to the service.  Meanwhile on the iPhone 3G he demonstrated the integration of voice control, movement through the accelerometer and GPS in a voice search app.  The voice-search was triggered just by picking up the iPhone and holding it to his ear and asking for “pictures of cathedrals in Spain”, which the handset recognized and displayed the image search results.

Full comparison – plus Vodafone HTC Magic demo video and live photos after the cut

There are a few similarities, certainly.  Both the iPhone 3G and the HTC Magic have capacitive touchscreens, the former 3.5-inches and the latter 3.2-inches, both running at 480 x 320.  They’re similar in size, too, with the iPhone 3G (4.5 x 2.4 x 0.48 inches) a little longer, wider and thinner than the Magic (4.45 x 2.17 x 0.54 inches).  Despite the extra girth, though, the Magic is lighter: 4.18oz versus the iPhone 3G’s 4.7oz.

Apple are more cautious than HTC with their core hardware specs.  The Magic has a 528MHz Qualcomm MSM7201a chipset, and from the limited experience we have with the pre-production smartphone it runs just as slickly as the iPhone manages.  In our typing video demo the HTC Magic certainly keeps up, something lesser-powered devices can struggle with.

Connectivity might be an area where HTC edge out Apple.  The iPhone 3G delivers HSDPA, WiFi b/g and Bluetooth, although the only Bluetooth profiles supported are the headset and handsfree.  Meanwhile the HTC Magic has 7.2Mbps HSDPA, WiFi b/g and Bluetooth 2.0, and there’s much more flexibility in the Bluetooth stack.  Apple score a point for having a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, while HTC insist on you using an adapter dongle with their ExtUSB port, however the Magic score a point themselves by having native miniUSB support versus the iPhone 3G’s proprietary connector.

The HTC Magic has more hardware controls than the iPhone 3G, with a row of dedicated search, home, menu and back buttons directly under the touchscreen, then hardware send/end call keys and a trackball with enter button.  On the left hand side there’s a volume control, but there’s no dedicated camera shortcut.  Apple make do with one home button, volume controls, a lock button on the top and a physical ringer switch, which is certainly more useful when the phone is in your pocket or bag.

Both handsets can be had with up to 16GB of storage, but they go about it in very different ways.  The iPhone 3G is available in 8GB or 16GB sizes, with no way to expand that capacity; meanwhile the Magic has a mere 512MB ROM but a microSD slot – underneath the battery compartment hatch, but not under the battery itself – happy with up to 16GB cards.  We don’t know what size card HTC or Vodafone will bundle in the retail packaging – it’s unlikely to be anything as high as either 8GB or 16GB – but for some the flexibility of adding their own memory cards will be worth the extra initial outlay.

One area where we expect the HTC Magic to comprehensively trounce the iPhone 3G is the camera.  Apple disappointed many people when they left their second-gen handset’s camera as just 2-megapixels with a fixed-focus lens, and they were right to be so as the picture quality is relatively poor.  HTC have given the Magic a 3.2-megapixel camera with autofocus, and while the company might not be as lauded for their optics as, say, Samsung or Nokia, that and the higher resolution should edge it ahead.  Autofocus is a necessity for the Magic, really, given that apps such as ShopSavvy rely on being able to clearly recognize close-up barcodes; we’re disappointed to see no flash, though, not even a basic LED one.

In terms of media, we’ve already given Apple bonus points for their standard 3.5mm headphones jack, and in fact the whole iPod music and video suite takes some beating.  Apple’s dominance of the electronic music ecosystem – with the iPod and iTunes – means that if finding, buying and listening to music in the simplest way is your priority, their offering is difficult to ignore.  The iPhone 3G makes an excellent PMP for both audio and video playback, and being able to download audio tracks on the move over WiFi or 3G, direct to the iPhone, is a useful feature.  Still, the iTunes DRM has few fans (although there are many DRM-free files, albeit at a price-premium) and the HTC Magic should cater to more formats (though not iTunes DRM-encrypted audio, so if you’ve a big existing library from the Apple service then you might be better off looking at the iPhone 3G).  We’re yet to see how video playback looks on the Magic.

The DRM issue segues neatly into perhaps the most obvious difference between Apple and the Google Android platform: openness.  Whereas Apple tightly control their user experience, device and software, setting plenty of hoops for their developers to jump through in order to see their wares on the smartphone’s touchscreen, Android is open-source and much more flexible.  The Android Market has far less software choice than the Apple App Store, but now that Google have opened the gates for paid-software we should see a new tide of developers broaching the platform.  Out of the box, the HTC Magic probably won’t be as comprehensive and slick as the iPhone 3G is, but there’s a whole lot more tinkering that can be done with it (without Jailbreaking the Apple device); the question will be, will Magic buyers be willing to go to that effort.  The T-Mobile G1 appealed to early adopters willing to prioritise potential over initial polish, but it remains to be seen whether HTC Magic buyers will feel the same.  Certainly, if a very well harmonized ownership experience is your key priority, you might be less frustrated with the Apple handset.

We still don’t know when Vodafone’s exclusivity deal ends, nor when – or if – a US version of the HTC Magic with suitably-fettled 3G might arrive.  However they’re far more likely than Apple throwing open the gates and offering the iPhone 3G on multiple carriers in the same market, something which might minimize their control.  The iPhone 3G remains a premium device, and as such Vodafone are likely to price the Magic competitively, undercutting Apple’s handset significantly.  Data prices and voice tariffs are still an unknown, but again expect a relatively competitive all-you-can-eat package to fit in with the Google “internet everywhere” ethos.

In case you hadn’t guessed, we’re excited about the Vodafone HTC Magic.  There’s still a lot we don’t know – we’re hoping to find out more tomorrow, after we have a 1-on-1 with the smartphone – and we’re still big iPhone 3G fans.  However while there might be room for two favorites in our pockets, most people will have to decide on one or the other; we’re looking forward to the chance to review the HTC Magic in full, to help you make that decision.

More on the HTC Magic over at our sister-site, Android Community!

Unlike the T-Mobile G1, there’s no hardware keyboard.  It does however have the same compass, accelerometer and 3.2-megapixel camera with autofocus.  All of the usual Android apps are onboard, including GMail, Google Maps and Street View; there’s also Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, up to 400 minutes 3G talktime and up to 660 hours 3G standby.  Onboard memory is 512MB ROM and 192MB RAM, and there’s a microSD slot.

The Vodafone HTC Magic will initially be available in Germany, Spain and the UK, as well as non-exclusively in Italy, and with the SFR network in France.  No known pricing as yet, but given the nature of the European cellphone market we won’t be surprised to see it free with a new contract.  HTC aren’t allowing live shots or video at MWC, as the handset has gone through last-minute hardware changes including new buttons; however we’ll have a one-on-one briefing with it soon, and will bring you some feedback from that.  More details at Android Community!

[via Android Community]